The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-02-27
THE SENATORIAL MAJORITY.
How 1t Legislates Without the Assist
ance of the Republican Minority.
Significant Change of Tactics in Excusing
Silert Senators from VOting-DemOcrat-
ic Ideas as to a Special Session.


ic Ideas as to a Special Session.
There was nothing warlike about the Capitol
yesterday morning, and had 1t not been for the
purpose to break the impressive silence of the
Republican Senators, it is doubtful if their Dem
ocratc colleagues would have consented to 60
through the formality of session. Lieutenant
governor Robertson appeared at the door OF the
chamber, and was refused admission, tho same
colloquy passing between him and the Door
keeper as on Friday. He turned away and
passed over to the House side of the building,
where few Representatives were at
their desks, interested in personal matters, there
being no session of that body. Within few
minutes the Lieutenant governor left the Capitol.
and the Democratic Senators pursued their own
course for the day, guarded usual, by the extra
detachment of assistant door-keepers supplied
by Sim Coy. About the corridors were several
groups Of men waiting for anything that might
turn up to crafty curiosity. But nothing ex-
citing occurred, and by II O'Clock there were not
more than dozen persons on the outside.
Within the Senate chamber the spectators were
few, the gallery being deserted, except by few
ladies, while in the lobby only employees were
to be found. It was the form of session, and
its almost farcial solemnity had the effect OF
making the Democrats anxious TO close the pro-
ceedings, although they held to their purpose of
keeping it up until the noon hour.
The Republican Senators used tho time in
reading, attending to correspondence gather
ing in groups for conversation. There WAS no
sign of weakening in the position they have as
Is 11>J int
way of senatorial business. and the Democrats,
approaching this, changed their plan of pro-
cedure 1t was sought to pass BILL but the
call of the roll showed no quorum, unless the
presence of Senators not voting could be re-
garded as fulfilling the constitutional require
| ments. This position the Democrats had taken,
but probably after doubts as to its
security appeared, for when the Republicans
refused to respond the roll of apparent absentees
| was called AS each Republican again refused
| to answer, a Democratic Senator would arise
| and move that the Senator be excused from vot-
| ing 1t would be taken by consent, and the
| record was made to show an excuse instead of
| no excuse provided for by the French motion of
| Thursday last. It was by this latter motion that
the Democrats sought to drive the Republicans,
l
quorum, into voting on measures and taking
part in legislation. 1t was Intellectual, and the
tactics applied yesterday developed maneuvering
i equally without result. The claim of the Demo
| Gratis now is that the Republicans were present,
| excused from voting, and hence there was
quorum. Under these conditions the
proposed constitutional amendments, one striking
| the word white from the Constitution and the
other making the terms of all county officers
four years, were adopted. But yet the plaza
seemed to be uncertain and the passage of no
important legislation was attempted Another
movement was made by having the roll of Ser
ators called, to give each an opportunity to ad-
vance bills on the calendar in which each felt an
interest The Democrats responded with
| alacrity but the Republicans had othor matters
to occupy their attention. It went so far in or
der to force them to speak. that Democrats
| would look over the calendar, and coming
across bill introduced by Republican,
| would remark that Senator Huston Winter
johnson, or whoever it might be introduced
such ana such bill. II would like to have the
author explain it," the Democratic Senator
would further say. But it was talking to an i'm
movable Republican side. The desks there
might have been vacant, for the Democrats, i'm
| pressed by the silence. were compelled to take
up another order of business number OF
| bills. among them that of Senator Zimmerman
providing for the publication of State series OF
school books. and that Of Senator Day amending
the Metropolitan police bill to apply it ia
cities of 10000 inhabitants and more, were or
dered engrossed The livestock commission
bill of Representative Buckles, amended by
striking out the word swine, was also advanced
to eugrossment
The committee on claims presented resolu
ton which caused such action as to indicate that
the Democrats do not expect special session,
or that they are in a mood to recede from their
position of blocking legislation. The resolution
WAS concurrent. as it came from the committee
and appropriated 5000 to pay claim of John d.
Carter, assistant secretary of the Senate of the
Fifty-fourth General Assembly, for indexing the
journal after the session closed. It was ex-
planned that in the hurry and confusion attend
ing final adjournment of that session this appro
priation was overlooked. Carter is assistant sec.
rotary of the present Senate. and some Democrats
were inclined to resist its passage Senator
Sellers said he introduced it as concurrent
resolution, and it came back Senate measure.
The Senate alone could not make an appropria
ton, and, as the House would not concur, there
fore, Carter had no chance of getting his money
for this service until In the next General Assem-
bly,. 1t was amended by consent so as to pro
vide for the payment Of the money OFT of funds
appropriated for the expenses Of the present
General Assembly. In this shape it passed. II
belongs to that class OF questionable usufruct
secretaries and assistant secretaries claim for
extra labor. The work, an experienced man Ia
this service says, is not worth
$50, and can be done in three or four
days. Just AS the Senate was about to adjourn
Senator Griffith offered resolution providing
extra pay for Secretary Dixon and Assistant
Secretary Carter for preparing calendars. writ
ing UP the journals, reading proof and other de-
tails. 1t appropriates $3.50 for work that re
qulred no extra time or service The money il
also to be paid out of the appropriation for TIT
This remedy is not a liquid, snuff or ponder, Co